Around 20,000 nursing and allied health sciences students are set to receive financial assistance from a P500-million allocation for Related Learning Experience (RLE) in the proposed 2026 national budget, Senator Bam Aquino said.
Aquino announced the funding during a reunion with nursing students in Cebu City, who earlier raised concerns over the high cost of RLE, a graduation requirement equivalent to on-the-job training.
The P500 million was included under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses of the Higher Education Development Program and will provide up to P20,000 per semester for eligible students.
Aquino said underprivileged students will be prioritized, subject to guidelines from the Commission on Higher Education.
The assistance, he added, could cover about one-fifth of the country’s estimated 100,000 nursing students and credited student consultations for shaping the proposal.
Aquino also filed Senate Bill No. 123, which seeks to make RLE free in state and local universities, while nursing students in private schools may apply for TES assistance for RLE expenses.IMT
